Brownsville Pace senior defensive end Alejandro Borland’s latest achievement is a product of persistence and a loving support system.
On Wednesday, Borland signed to play football for the University of Jamestown in North Dakota. He’ll be building on a family legacy started by his older brother — Morgan, who played for Brownsville Veterans Memorial — when he joins the Jimmies to compete in the NAIA.
“It feels amazing,” Borland said. “My brother also went to the university, and he made a great impact and is a great person, and I can’t wait to follow in his footsteps. I can’t wait to take it to the next level and have some fun.”
Pace coach Danny Pardo said Borland was a “role player” in his one season with the varsity Vikings. Pardo called Borland an example of the good that can come when a student-athlete handles business in the classroom and said his signing is a stepping stone for other players to do the same.
“He’s an example of a kid that has the academics, and whether he plays or not, he’s going to make it because he’s such a bright kid,” Pardo said. “He’s what you call a program kid. He’s been around, sticks around and he does his job. You always need those kinds of kids. It’s always good for someone to move on and open doors for the future kids.”
Borland’s recruitment process revolved around the initiative he took to reach out to coaches and find an opportunity to play at the next level. His familiarity with Jamestown due to his brother’s career helped make the decision to join the Jimmies an easy one.
“I think it’s very important for student athletes that want to get signed or get to another level to reach out to the coach,” Borland said. “Your persistence doesn’t go unnoticed, and they take it to heart that you reached out to them because it shows that you have a special interest in their program. I reached out, they looked at my film and said there’s a lot of potential on the field, and we signed a deal.”
Though this next chapter of his career will be taking him far from home, Borland is comfortable with the move because he has seen how welcoming the Jamestown community is. He’ll be studying graphic design and is excited to continue his education at “one of the best schools out there with a great graduation rate and employment rates.”
Borland delivered a well-prepared speech during his signing ceremony and thanked a number of people, including his coaches from his early years in football, for making him a better player and person. A focal point of the speech and Borland’s support system is his large and tight-knit family.
“My family is unmatched. They’re phenomenal. Eight siblings total, I’m one of them, and they’re all very loving. My parents are awesome. They can get on you, ride you and get after you, but it all builds character. Undying love from all of them,” Borland said.
Just as his family always encouraged him, Borland now hopes his journey can encourage and inspire other athletes chasing the same dream.
“I just want to tell the student-athletes out there that, when it comes to signing, yes, your grades are very important. Keep them maintained,” Borland said. “Also, there’s no offseason. Even in these trying times, always lift weights, always put in the extra reps, and it’ll come back and pay off. There’s a lot of roadblocks on the path, a lot of obstacles to overcome, and if you have a strong mentality and you stay persistent and dedicated, nothing is impossible.”
